This dairy free buttercream frosting is so delicious and just right for topping cupcakes and cakes! Smooth, creamy, and very decadent, this vanilla icing is sure to be a favorite. Try this foolproof recipe today!

Is there anything better than a cupcake with homemade frosting?

If you have a dairy allergy, you might wonder if it’s even possible to make a delicious dairy free buttercream frosting, but it’s actually very easy to make with just a few ingredients.

And once you have the basic recipe for this frosting, you can modify it to fit your needs. You can add a little lemon zest for a citrus frosting, or make a rainbow of colors with your favorite food coloring. You can add cocoa powder for a decadent chocolate buttercream, or use more liquid to make a glaze for muffins, coffee cake, or any dessert.

This dairy free buttercream frosting is perfect for spreading on cupcakes, cookies, or cake. If you have a double layer cake, you will want to double this recipe.

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Ingredient Notes
Special Equipment
Step by Step Instructions
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Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Non-Dairy Milk – When you choose a non-dairy milk to use in your dairy free frosting, you’ll want to stick to neutral tasting milk – something very plain like unsweetened coconut milk is a good choice. You can use any milk that works for your diet, but just note that if you use something like hemp milk, it will impart a stronger flavor to the frosting. For more information about non-dairy milk or buttery spread, read my guide to dairy substitutes.
Another Option: Water – If there aren’t any non-dairy milks that work for your diet, you can use water, but the icing will be a little less creamy.
Vegan Buttery Spread – I prefer to use Earth Balance Soy Free Spread. You could use the baking sticks or their Original Spread. If Earth Balance doesn’t work for your diet, there are a couple of other options. You can try Melt spread, or even Smart Balance, which can be found in most grocery store chains. All of these spreads have a buttery flavor and a similar texture to butter. As always, read the labels and call the company to make sure a product is safe for you. You could also try palm shortening – that should work well.
Powdered Sugar – We like Wholesome Sweeteners Powdered Sugar. Any brand of powdered sugar should work well in this recipe.
Vanilla Extract – This adds a nice vanilla flavor to the icing, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can leave it out.

ingredients for dairy free buttercream frosting

Special Equipment

Mixer – A stand mixer or a hand-held mixer is necessary for mixing the frosting and getting a good, smooth consistency.
Offset Spatula – If you are planning to frost a cake, an offset spatula is a good tool to help the frosting go on smoothly.
Piping Bag and Tips – If you are going to pipe the frosting on, disposable piping bags and metal tips in a variety of styles are helpful tools to have. I used a Wilton 1M tip to frost the cupcakes pictured here.

Step by Step Instructions

Place the vegan buttery spread and a ½ cup of powdered sugar in a mixing bowl and mix until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract.

Continue to add the remaining powdered sugar, alternating with the non-dairy milk, mixing between each addition, until you get the consistency you desire.

If you are going to pipe the frosting on, spoon into a piping bag that is fitted with the tip you want to use. I like the Wilton 1M tip for cupcakes.

Pipe the frosting on each cupcake, or spread it on a cake.

Enjoy!

More Dessert Recipes

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Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make perfect dairy free frosting:

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Recipe